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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
I both love this book and dislike it. I love the intro of Stefan and his relationship with Vanyel, but hate when they go off to fight Master Dark (in fact I put the book down for nearly 2 months cause I knew what was coming!), it’s just so traumatic! But o do love this series.
This was my favorite of the trilogy but still a bit flat. I really liked the characters but a lot of the important action and fights take place off screen which left it overall feeling a bit unfulfilled. I did like the ending and the characters but don’t expect epic battle scenes or fleshed-out villains.
I like this one more than #2 (Magic's Promise) and I think as well as I liked #1 (Magic's Pawn). I really enjoyed Stef and Vanyel's relationship. It's unhealthily co-dependent, but there's a lot of good in there, too. I was delighted to learn about the Kyree and their third gender. I hope the later books have more of the Kyree. The ending was well done. I'd say the book is satisfyingly emotionally evocative.
I just wanted to add this at the beginning: there is a r*pe scene in this book. It wasn't necessary and had no warning. It wasn't explicit, but it scarred me pretty badly, and I have no previous trauma. If this will trigger you, do not read this book.
On to my review. (Minor spoilers ahead, nothing too bad but just in case)
I wasn't very happy with this book. My main problems were Vanyel's relationship with Stefen and the way it ended. I find it very strange how a big point in the second book it's emphasized how just because Vanyel is gay, that doesn't mean he's a pedophile. However, in this book, he's in a relationship with Stefen, who is eighteen. There is a huge age gap, and just because Stefen is of legal age, that doesn't make it okay. I know Stefen is Telendyl's reincarnation, but it would've been much better to give Vanyel someone completely new (that's his age!) and have Vanyel move on past Telendyl. Because, let's face it, he spent waaay too much time mourning over his first boyfriend. Throughout the book it emphasizes how mature and experienced Stefen is, but I find that to be icky because that's something groomers say to their victims to convince them that what they're doing is okay. Also, you can SEE the power imbalance, especially after Vanyel gets set on destroying the bad guy!
That (sort of) leads into my next criticism of the book: the villain. He's just so... underwhelming. He isn't even introduced until two-thirds of the way through the book, and although he was alluded to in the first book, that was pretty much it. He doesn't do anything, really. And the way Vanyel's confrontation was written is very strange. He's just thinking about how easily everything is going compared to the visions he had in the first book, and it focuses on that instead of the actual battle.
The time this book spent on Vanyel's and Stefen's relationship would've been much better spent on creating some rising action with the villain. Because let's face it: there is none. If you were to make a plot diagram for this book, it would be a flat line with a short, steep spike at the end. And although I do appreciate a good dose of gay (Vanyel's and Telendel's relationship in book one was one of my favorites in fiction!) I feel like this book spent too much time focusing on the gay and not enough on the conflict.
On to my review. (Minor spoilers ahead, nothing too bad but just in case)
I wasn't very happy with this book. My main problems were Vanyel's relationship with Stefen and the way it ended. I find it very strange how a big point in the second book it's emphasized how just because Vanyel is gay, that doesn't mean he's a pedophile. However, in this book, he's in a relationship with Stefen, who is eighteen. There is a huge age gap, and just because Stefen is of legal age, that doesn't make it okay. I know Stefen is Telendyl's reincarnation, but it would've been much better to give Vanyel someone completely new (that's his age!) and have Vanyel move on past Telendyl. Because, let's face it, he spent waaay too much time mourning over his first boyfriend. Throughout the book it emphasizes how mature and experienced Stefen is, but I find that to be icky because that's something groomers say to their victims to convince them that what they're doing is okay. Also, you can SEE the power imbalance, especially after Vanyel gets set on destroying the bad guy!
That (sort of) leads into my next criticism of the book: the villain. He's just so... underwhelming. He isn't even introduced until two-thirds of the way through the book, and although he was alluded to in the first book, that was pretty much it. He doesn't do anything, really. And the way Vanyel's confrontation was written is very strange. He's just thinking about how easily everything is going compared to the visions he had in the first book, and it focuses on that instead of the actual battle.
The time this book spent on Vanyel's and Stefen's relationship would've been much better spent on creating some rising action with the villain. Because let's face it: there is none. If you were to make a plot diagram for this book, it would be a flat line with a short, steep spike at the end. And although I do appreciate a good dose of gay (Vanyel's and Telendel's relationship in book one was one of my favorites in fiction!) I feel like this book spent too much time focusing on the gay and not enough on the conflict.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Terminal illness
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
No 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 my heart is so broken right now!! That ending is not ok! Not fair!! I mean I get it and understand why, but still, NOT FAIR!!!!!! All the deaths in this story broke me. It was so hard to read. An amazing story. Now I realize I really need to read the rest of the series that came before this one and the ones after.
Only reason this book is not 5 stats is the horrible graphic R*** scene that was completely and utterly unnecessary to the book and story.
Only reason this book is not 5 stats is the horrible graphic R*** scene that was completely and utterly unnecessary to the book and story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
🎧🛁 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 🛁🎧
Magic’s Price by Mercedes Lackey
Narrated by Gregory St. John
“Words and love together can more often achieve what magic cannot.”
Synopsis: The final installment in Vanyel’s story - the most powerful Herald-Mage finds himself the target of an evil that is targeting the less powerful of Vanyel’s kind. Whilst navigating new love, familial challenges, and his own mentality - Vanyel and Yfandes must put an end to this evil once and for all.
Wow, what a wrap up. I didn’t expect a lot of the plot points that happened to actually happen - but I’m so grateful that each and every storyline was wrapped up with a bow. Vanyel has reached his fullest potential by this point, and must use all he’s learned to navigate some new challenges.
This trilogy, as a whole, is at its core a beautiful coming of age story set in a fantastical world of Lackeys own design. We see Vanyel grow over the course of many years, and his growth helping shape those around him as well. There were so many heartwarming moments in this book that had a tear in my eye. Lackey also isn’t afraid to break your heart, so be forewarned!
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and I’m so grateful that my soon to be husband pushed me out of my comfort zone with these books. I would recommend these to any fantasy fan, as they have and continue to stand the test of time in terms of subject matter, world building, and storytelling. I give Magic’s Price 10/10 bubble baths!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Infertility, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Classism